Hugo Broos: Belgian coach seeks Bafana Bafana's redemption against Nigeria in crucial World Cup qualifier

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, is determined to improve on their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final performance when they face Nigeria again next month.

Bafana Bafana are set to clash with the Super Eagles in a critical 2026 World Cup qualifier, the second encounter between the two teams this year.

The West African side previously won via a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the AFCON semi-finals.

This time, the match will be played at Nigeria's home ground, the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, adding an extra challenge for the South Africans. Despite this, Bafana is known for giving the Super Eagles a tough fight. Coach Broos announced his squad on Thursday, May 29, and expressed his confidence in the team's growth and readiness.

"We’ve made significant progress in the last two years, and the results are evident, As sportsmen, we always strive for more, and our aim is to qualify for the World Cup," the Belgian said, as reported by SABC.

The 72-year-old tactician acknowledged the difficulty of their qualifying group, which also includes neighbouring countries Zimbabwe and Lesotho. However, he stressed the team's confidence and belief in their ability to succeed based on their recent performances.

Nigeria, now managed by Finidi George, have not secured wins in their first two qualifying matches. Failing to defeat South Africa would jeopardize their chances of advancing to the 2026 showpiece.

Broos has assembled a robust 23-man squad, incorporating a few new faces. Notably, Relebohile Mofokeng is the only one of three newcomers from the preliminary list to make the final cut, while Evidence Makgopa, a key striker in the AFCON tournament, was excluded from the squad.

According to iDiski Times, South Africa's World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off against Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on June 7. They will face Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.